MUMBAI: The Down Troddence is a six piece trash/folk metal band from Bangalore that has been gaining exponential popularity in the Indian metal scene. The band is formed by members Mithun Raj aka Munz (vocals), Varun Raj (guitars), Advaith Mohan (guitars), Nezer Ahemed (bass), Ganesh Radhakrishnan (drums), Sushin Shyam (keys) and Sachin Savio Dane as the sound engineer.

In this week’s musical rendezvous, Radioandmusic talks to The Down Troddence about winning eight awards at The Rolling Stone Metal Awards, their ideologies and much more.

You won eight awards at the Rolling Stone Metal Awards. How did it feel?

When we went to Mumbai, we honestly expected to win only for the artwork and the popular choice categories. But to grab eight was out of this world for us. We were shocked and we are going to move forward and hopefully tour all around India before we dream of touring internationally.

How was the experience in Mumbai at the Rolling Stone Metal Awards?

Mumbai was so welcoming and powerful. The audience went crazy right from the first song till the set was done. That was some insane energy we see only at very few gigs.

We have learned and were touched by many shows, from Kannur to Mumbai. We have had some really special gig experiences and this was one of them.

In which genre would you categorise your music?

We are not into categorising music into an airtight bundle. If folk, thrash, groove and psychedelic can coexist in a sonic fabric without losing soul and integrity, it is a good thing, right? We are just driven by sound and music with energy and groove (that feeling when the music moves you).

Why is your album called ‘How are you? We are fine thank you.’? What is the whole idea behind it and the artwork?

If you look at the album cover art, it represents the ‘downtrodden’ - every day women and men holding up the pillar of authority which has clearly controlled us, the framework of our mindsets, motives and lives. It is a class battle disguised and camouflaged beneath the illusions of freedom. The album title encompasses the feeling of the oppressed when the authority structure asks "How are you?" and we, out of resigned helplessness, reply "We are fine, Thank you". We have always pretended that we are fine and most likely always will, unless the paradigm shifts and there is massive change in our mindset.

How was the experience of working with Baiju Dharmajan and Keshav Dhar?

It was beyond this world a feeling for us to fathom. We have always looked up to them as artistes and performers. To be associated with them at this level is truly a humbling experience. Keshav is very efficient at what he does on and off the stage. Baiju is purely ‘soul’ personified.

Why is your track ‘Shiva’ in Sanskrit?

That was not a contrived decision we made. The ‘sloka’ which describes Shiva or glorifies him rather was already in Sanskrit throughout the ages. We liked how the sloka had a riding flow and energy to it. We thought it would be brilliant to compose a song around it.

Your music talks about social/political discrepancies. Was this always the idea or did it just happen unintentionally?

Again, the idea of a song is not a result of following a certain protocol when it comes to the lyrical and musical aspects of a song. We like a free flow of ideas and if we find it compelling enough, we just chase it. And the socio-political discrepancy being the overarching theme, it might be because we were all victims of it and were moved enough by it to raise our voices against it in some way.

There are a lot of classical elements in your music; are all of you trained classically?

Sushin and Varun are trained to some extent in their respective instruments. Ganesh is a trained mridangam (Carnatic drum) player, but did not have any formal training in drums. The rest of us are not, and the classical element comes from the collective inspiration of everyone, especially Varun.

Who are your biggest influences?

Too many to list down actually. In our respective playlists, you can find music spanning across genres - from the ‘you-need-to-listen-to-this’ to the ‘don't-judge-me-please’. It is like writing I guess. The more you read, more proficient you get at writing. Each of us has a varied list of artistes and bands that fulfill our listening tastes. Some of the artistes we like are Porcupine Tree, Opeth and Dream Theatre.

Do you plan to go on tour soon? Are there any big festivals that you will be playing at?

NH7 is one of the most prestigious festivals out there and we really hope we could be a part of it. We are playing at ‘Bangalore Open Air’ this September along with some other killer acts and yes, we are ready to play more shows.

Being hardcore metal heads, we dream of being a part of Wacken Open Air.